Jay F. Cullimore

Jay F. Cullimore It has been said that a good coach improves your game; a great coach improves your life. We now say our final farewell, to a beloved husband, a treasured father and friend, and a loyal son, brother, and grandfather. We will always love and cherish the true coach in our dad who touched and improved our lives and many others as well throughout his 81 years. Jay F. Cullimore, passed from this life August 14, 2009 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He will be remembered as a kind honorable man with quiet dignity and a dry sense of humor. Jay was born on February 21, 1928, in Garland, Utah, to William James and Pearl Cullimore. He was the fourth of six children born into a happy and well-respected family. He loved and respected his brothers and sisters and the valuable part that they played in his life. Jay attended the local Garland schools and graduated from Bear River High School. Jay loved sports his entire life and excelled in football, baseball, and basketball. He later attended and graduated from Utah State University in 1952. Jay married Elaine Rampton in October 27, 1949. They were later sealed in the Logan Temple. They were blessed with four children who adored them both. Early in their marriage Jay joined the Army Reserves a position he held for 28 years. This became an additional career that our dad enjoyed and later retired with the rank of full Colonel. Our parents have been together for nearly 60 years and during that time our mother learned much about sports. That might have been our dad’s greatest accomplishment. Dad was an active member of the LDS Church and had a valiant testimony of the Savior and for his mission in life. After dad retired, he and mother spent years as ordinance workers in the Ogden and Bountiful LDS temples. Our dad always said he was one of the lucky ones because he always knew even as a little boy that he wanted to become a coach. And coach he did! The Davis Darts brought home the State Championship trophy twice. Dad got a kick out of one compliment given to him by a former player who said, “Coach all you did was take a bunch of farm boys and turn us into state champs.” Jay was inducted into The Utah Chapter of the Old Time Athletes Association in 1994. From 1971-1973 he served as President and President-Elect of the Utah High School Coaches Association. In 2000 Jay received the Outstanding High School Coach award for displaying an outstanding commitment of 26 years in high school football, the last 16 at Davis High. Our father was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Utah Chapter in March of 2000. Jay was selected to coach The Utah High School All-Star Football Game a total of three different times. One of the greatest events of his life was being selected to run with the torch in the 2002 Winter Olympics. That experience was only 300 yards but it brought out so much emotion in him. Dad later recounted to us, he was running for his country and church, his family and fellow associates, and all of the young men and women who crossed paths with him through the 34 years in education. Finally, our special regards for all of the doctors, nurses, and aides that attended to our father so faithfully. We credit our dear mother who in these last few years rarely left his side. You all had the hearts and hands of angels. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, his brother; Boyd Cullimore, his sister; Phyllis Didrickson, and one great-grandson Lincoln Parke. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, son, Ronald Cullimore (Pat), daughters, Sheryl Ricketts (John), Julie, and JoanE Linford (Bruce). Also surviving are brothers Grant Cullimore, So. Ogden, Ralph Cullimore, St. George, and one sister, Elaine Ely, residing in No. Ogden. In addition he is survived by nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Kaysville East Stake Center, 201 So. 600 E. Friends and family may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main and Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers our father would have been honored to have a donation to any of the following LDS Missionary Fund, Davis High School Athletic Department, or Shriner’s Hospital in tribute for their loving care of his son, Ron, for 16 years and through eight operations.